Student Learning Outcomes

Our outcomes are guided by the Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession document published by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
The purpose of that document is to communicate to the PA profession and to the public
a set of competencies that all physician assistants, regardless of specialty or setting,
are expected to acquire and maintain throughout their careers. The competencies provide
a road map for the individual PA, the physician-PA team and PA-related professional
organizations. These competencies also mirror the Accreditation Council for Graduate
Medical Education (ACGME) competencies for the medical resident.

The outcomes our graduate physician assistant students will demonstrate:

Medical Knowledge

Medical knowledge includes the synthesis of pathophysiology, patient presentation,
differential diagnosis, patient management, surgical principles, health promotion,
and disease prevention. Physician assistants must demonstrate core knowledge about
established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and the application of this
knowledge to patient care in their area of practice. In addition, physician assistants
are expected to demonstrate an investigative and analytic thinking approach to clinical
situations. Physician assistants are expected to understand, evaluate, and apply the
following to clinical scenarios:

management of general medical and surgical conditions to include pharmacologic and
other treatment modalities

interventions for prevention of disease and health promotion/maintenance

screening methods to detect conditions in an asymptomatic individual

history and physical findings and diagnostic studies to formulate differential diagnoses

Interpersonal & Communications Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills encompass the verbal, nonverbal, written, and
electronic exchange of information. Physician assistants must demonstrate interpersonal
and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients,
patients’ families, physicians, professional associates, and other individuals within
the health care system. Physician assistants are expected to:

create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients

use effective communication skills to elicit and provide information

adapt communication style and messages to the context of the interaction

work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals as a member or
leader of a health care team or other professional group

demonstrate emotional resilience and stability, adaptability, flexibility, and tolerance
of ambiguity and anxiety

Patient Care

Patient care includes patient- and setting-specific assessment, evaluation, and management.
Physician assistants must demonstrate care that is effective, safe, high quality,
and equitable. Physician assistants are expected to:

work effectively with physicians and other health care professionals to provide patient-
centered care

demonstrate compassionate and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients
and their families

obtain essential and accurate information about their patients

make decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information
and preferences, current scientific evidence, and informed clinical judgment

develop and implement patient management plans

counsel and educate patients and their families

perform medical and surgical procedures essential to their area of practice

use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education

Professionalism

Professionalism is the expression of positive values and ideals as care is delivered.
Foremost, it involves prioritizing the interests of those being served above one’s
own. Physician assistants must acknowledge their professional and personal limitations.
Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance
abuse, cognitive deficiency or mental illness. Physician assistants must demonstrate
a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient
population, and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. Physician assistants
are expected to demonstrate:

understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, as well as the appropriate role
of the physician assistant

professional relationships with physician supervisors and other health care providers

respect, compassion, and integrity

accountability to patients, society, and the profession

commitment to excellence and on-going professional development

commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical
care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent, and business practices

sensitivity and responsiveness to patients’ culture, age, gender, and abilities

self-reflection, critical curiosity, and initiative

healthy behaviors and life balance

commitment to the education of students and other health care professionals

Practice-based Learning & Improvement

Practice-based learning and improvement includes the processes through which physician
assistants engage in critical analysis of their own practice experience, the medical
literature, and other information resources for the purposes of self- and practice-improvement.
Physician assistants must be able to assess, evaluate, and improve their patient care
practices. Physician assistants are expected to:

analyze practice experience and perform practice-based improvement activities using
a systematic methodology in concert with other members of the health care delivery
team

locate, appraise, and integrate evidence from scientific studies related to their
patients’ health

apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical
literature and other information on diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness

utilize information technology to manage information, access medical information,
and support their own education

Systems-based Practice

Systems-based practice encompasses the societal, organizational, and economic environments
in which health care is delivered. Physician assistants must demonstrate an awareness
of and responsiveness to the larger system of health care to provide patient care
that balances quality and cost, while maintaining the primacy of the individual patient.
PAs should work to improve the health care system of which their practices are a part.
Physician assistants are expected to:

effectively interact with different types of medical practice and delivery systems

understand the funding sources and payment systems that provide coverage for patient
care and use the systems effectively

practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise
quality of care

advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities

partner with supervising physicians, health care managers, and other health care providers
to assess, coordinate, and improve the delivery and effectiveness of health care and
patient outcomes